Fully vaccinated and excited about finally packing a suitcase again? We hear you. But first you’ll need the perfect capsule wardrobe, of course. As for where we’re headed? We’ve got some major Euro-vision…
Get me on a flight to… Ireland
WHEN?
FROM JULY 19
WHERE?
DUBLIN
WHERE WILL WE STAY?
ADARE MANOR, COUNTY LIMERICK
WE LOVE IT BECAUSE: Staying at Adare Manor is like living in a real-life fairytale. Set in rolling grounds with one of the most spectacular golf courses in the country, the Gothic castle has welcomed everyone from royalty to rockstars, as well as some of the world’s greatest golfers, natch. It’s just the place if you’ve always fancied being the star of your very own Bridgerton-inspired costume drama, complete with sweeping staircases, glittering chandeliers, and sumptuous bedrooms and suites that pair classic 19th century elegance with 21st century comfort. Outdoorsy types will love the unending green surroundings that host everything from fishing, falconry, archery, and clay pigeon shooting to horse riding and cycling – as well as the very big deal of world-class golfing. Add that to Michelin-star dining, a hidden bar that will blow your socks off, and a blissful spa that will leave you looking and feeling a million euros. It’s no wonder this place is usually booked up years in advance.
NEED TO KNOW: From July 19, Ireland will operate the EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) for travel originating within the EU/EEA, accepting fully vaccinated visitors from the UAE who have received both doses of the following COVID-19 vaccinations: two doses of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine (regarded as fully vaccinated after seven days since second dose); two doses of Moderna vaccine (regarded as fully vaccinated after 14 days since second dose); two doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (regarded as fully vaccinated after 15 days since second dose); one dose of Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine (regarded as fully vaccinated after 14 days since second dose).
Passengers arriving in Ireland with a DCC will not have to undergo quarantine. However, passengers with a Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) based on a non-PCR test (for example, antigen) or those arriving without a DCC will require proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Children aged between 7 and 18 who have not been vaccinated must also have a negative PCR test.
HOW TO GET THERE: You can fly direct to Dublin from Dubai with Emirates, with return flights priced from AED 3,245.
WHAT TO PACK: If you’re off to the Emerald Isle and don’t want to miss out on your daily round of golf, invest in something pretty and practical to tee off in, like these gorgeous palm print co-ords from GANT. Ireland is glorious in the summer, with fabulous countryside and historic sites to explore at every turn, so pack your sneakers and some comfortable flats for plenty of pavement pounding. Oh, and remember to bring something waterproof for those inevitable Irish summer downpours – you can’t go wrong with a classic trench coat!
High waisted palm print shorts, AED 419, Gant.
Palm print tunic, AED 489, Gant.
Achilles leather sneakers, AED 1,620, Common Projects @LevelShoes.com
Linen blend trench coat, AED 1,230, Vince @TheOutnet.com
Flat woven raffia sandals, AED 199, @ZaraÂ
Le Jane high-rise straight jeans, AED 838, Frame @Mytheresa.com
Candy stripe cotton poplin shirt dress, AED 2,500 , Evi Grintela @MatchesFashion.com
Pure cotton oversized shirt, AED 175, @M&S
Get me on a flight to… Spain
WHEN?
FROM JUNE 7
WHERE?
BARCELONA
WHERE WILL WE STAY?
THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, BARCELONA
WE LOVE IT BECAUSE: This award-winning hotel is exquisite in every way, from the sophisticated décor and exceptional dining to top-class leisure facilities and faultless service. And if you can bear to set foot outside, the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is a spectacular base from which to explore this vibrant city. Located in the heart of the Quadrat d’Or (Golden Square), this walkable district showcases the best work of the Modernista architects who transformed the city at the turn of the century. Wander down towards the sea, and you’ll find yourself in the Barri Gòtic, the city’s atmospheric mediaeval quarter that is crowned by its Gothic cathedral and flanked by Las Ramblas, the famous mile-long promenade that’s home to the enormous Boqueria food market. You’ll also encounter Port Vell, the chic marina that runs alongside the old fishing quarter, and the beginning of Barcelona’s seven-kilometre stretch of beach – a haven for people-watching.
NEED TO KNOW: Spain recently lifted a six-month state of emergency, with restrictions easing across much of the country. Visitors from the UAE must have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days before traveling to Spain, and tourists must complete an online Health Control Form no more than 48 hours before their flights are set to depart. Once submitted, passengers will get an email with a QR code required to board flights to any Spanish destination.
HOW TO GET THERE: Emirates flights fly direct to Barcelona from Dubai four times a week, and to Madrid five times a week. From Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways and Air Europa operate flights to both Spanish cities, with fares starting from about AED 2,700. Domestic Spanish airlines offer flights to additional destinations in the country, including Alicante, Ibiza and Seville via connecting flights.
WHAT TO PACK: You’re going to be doing a lot of walking – and a lot of eating – on your visit to Barcelona, so think easy-chic with plenty of comfort. July and August are hot-hot-hot so pack cotton separates, flat shoes (don’t even consider heels), and a versatile one-piece that you can wear as a bodysuit as well as a swimsuit for impromptu bouts of sunbathing on Barcelona’s famous beach or poolside on the rooftop of the Mandarin Oriental – an amazing spot for Insta-perfect sundowners.
Lola crocheted lace and cotton voile maxi dress, AED1,063, Charo Ruiz @TheOutnet.com
Lariat necklace, AED 170, @Boom & MellowÂ
Woven leather bucket bag, AED 489, Massimo DuttiÂ
Poet linen blend gauze jumpsuit, AED 1,548, Lisa Marie Fernandez @TheOutnet.com
Asymmetric printed top, AED 169, Zara
Printed mini skirt with beads, AED 199 , ZaraÂ
Santa Barbara reversible scalloped swimsuit, AED 1,382, Marysia @ Net-A-Porter.com
Square acetate sunglasses, AED 89, Zara
Criss-cross flat sandals, AED 149, Mango
Get me on a flight to… Greece
WHEN?
FROM NOW
WHERE?
PELOPONNESE, GREECE
WHERE WILL WE STAY?
AMANZOE, PELOPONNESE PENINSULAR
WE LOVE IT BECAUSE: Set in the verdant landscapes of the beach-fringed Peloponnese peninsula, Amanzoe is one seriously dreamy destination with picture-perfect views that will stay with you forever. Built around the concepts of health, well-being, and rejuvenation, the resort overlooks the impossibly blue Aegean Sea and comprises a collection of luxe villas drawing on classic Greek architecture. Each features an open terrace with sand-hued marble floors, dry stone-clad walls, and concrete columns and cornices. With a chef and host serving each one – whether it’s just you, you and your SO, or all your friends and family – it’s impossible not to feel like a genuine Greek goddess here. As for its offerings, Amanzoe has introduced visiting wellness practitioners, a tennis camp, and a selection of exclusive four-night wellness retreats. There’s also a new garden-to-table dining experience that features local ingredients from the resort’s newly extended organic gardens as part of a wider sustainability initiative.
NEED TO KNOW: You need to take a COVID-19 PCR test and complete a Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before departing the UAE for Greece. All travellers over the age of five must have a COVID-19 test result, except those who have a certificate of vaccination completed at least 14 days before their arrival in Greece. Cafés, bars, and restaurants are now open across Greece, provided that customers can sit outside. The nationwide curfew has been extended to 12:30am, so late-night strolls and al fresco bar visits are back on the cards. Museums and archaeological sites have also reopened with restrictions on visitor numbers.
HOW TO GET THERE: From the UAE, you can fly direct to the Greek capital in under five hours. Etihad has flights to Athens with return fares from AED 995 and is also launching summer flights to Santorini and Mykonos.
WHAT TO PACK: Be inspired by the classic architecture and waters surrounding the Pelopennese, and build your wardrobe around the signature Aegean palette of blue and white, with splashes of earthy terracotta. Linen and cotton separates are ideal for mixing and matching with natural textiles like jute and leather to accessorise as you waft goddess-like between the beaches, mountains, and countryside of this ridiculously picturesque locale – the birthplace of a thousand Greek myths and legends. Don’t forget to pick up a few local fashion finds while you’re there; leather goods and traditionally made lace items are a must for the stylish souvenir-hunter.
Swiss embroidery linen blouse, AED 199, Mango
Midi wrap dress, AED 349, Mango
Jute basket bag, AED 119, Mango
Crocheted lace paneled cotton voile blend maxi dress, AED 3,138, Charo Ruiz @ Net-A-Porter.com
Wide brim bead embellished straw Panama hat, AED 948, Artisano @ Net-A-Porter.com
Slim high-waisted denim shorts, AED 99, H&M
One shoulder printed bikini, AED 837, Dodo Bar Or @ Net-A-Porter.com
Tie-dye cotton maxi skirt, AED 199, Mango
Leoni embellished leather sandals, AED 528, Ancient Greek @ TheOutnet.com
Get me on a flight to… Italy
WHEN?
FROM NOW
WHERE?
ROME
WHERE WILL WE STAY?
ROME CAVALIERI
WE LOVE IT BECAUSE: If having the Audrey Hepburn-inspired summer holiday has long been on your bucket list, why wait any longer to make it a reality? Experience a Roman Holiday of Hollywood standards by checking into the famous Rome Cavalieri. Just minutes from the city centre and boasting panoramic views, the hilltop property exudes classic glamour and remains the home of the first (and only) three Michelin-star restaurant in Rome: La Pergola. La Dolce Vita comes courtesy of three outdoor pools, two tennis courts, a private jogging circuit, and luxurious spa and fitness facilities. But while the ambiance and elegance harks back to the golden age, the property is working hard to carve out a sustainably focused future. Committed to reaching carbon neutrality as well as becoming plastic-free, Rome Cavalieri attained its Green Key certification in 2019, making it the first in Rome to do so. If you’re an environmentally focused glamour girl (which you obviously are!), this is the holiday hideaway for you.
NEED TO KNOW: Italy is welcoming travelers from the UAE who are fully vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19, or have a negative PCR test result taken no more than 48 hours before travel. Travellers flying on COVID-tested flights from these destinations no longer need an essential reason to fly, but cannot if they’ve been in or transited through Bangladesh, Brazil, India, or Sri Lanka in the past 14 days. In addition to booking and taking a PCR test, travellers must submit a Digital Passenger Locator Form (DPLF) before flying to Italy. A QR code will be issued when the form is submitted, and it must be presented at check-in. Upon arrival, travellers must take a Rapid Antigen Swab Test at their own expense. The test cost varies depending on where you are flying to, it’s €20 ($25) in Rome and €36 ($44) in Milan. COVID-tested flights are currently not able to land in Bologna.
Travellers must wear a face mask at all times in public and should use private transport rather than public transport to get from the airport to their final destination. The lockdown measures that were in place across much of the country have been eased, and many parts of Italy have returned to a more normal way of life – shops, theatres, cinemas, and museums have reopened, albeit with some restrictions. A nightly curfew is currently in place, meaning residents and visitors must stay indoors between set hours, but it has been shortened to run from midnight to 5am. There are plans in place to scrap it completely by Monday, June 21.
HOW TO GET THERE: Emirates operates five times per week to Rome with tickets from AED 2,317, and three flights a week to Bologna with Economy fares starting from AED 3,132. FlyDubai has just started direct flights to Naples from Friday. Etihad flies direct from Abu Dhabi to Milan and Rome, with return fares in Economy class from AED 2,380 and AED 2,258 respectively.
WHAT TO PACK: Italian women are amongst the most stylish in the world, so if you’re hoping to emulate their effortless panache on your trip to the Italian capital, a super-chic capsule wardrobe is a non-negotiable. Amp up the Audrey vibe with a 50s-inspired full skirt, a colourful playsuit, and a huge pair of sunnies anchored by classic black pieces that can be effortlessly mixed and matched for maximum style icon potential. Now, where did I park my Vespa?
Flared white floral skirt, AED 219, H&M
White modal cotton top, AED 149, Massimo Dutti
Sunglasses, AED 99, @ Adasat.com
Belted checked linen playsuit, AED 497, Solid & Striped @ TheOutnet.com
Scalloped swimsuit, AED 269, Mango
Leather sandals, AED 399, Massimo Dutti
Straight leg high-waisted jeans, AED 169, H&M
Drawstring straw tote gab, AED 275, M&S
Mixed resin earrings, AED 99, Mango
